Bookies predict £600m Cheltenham bonanza March 14, 2010 BOOKMAKERS predict that punters will go on a recession-busting betting spree at Cheltenham this week. William Hill believe around £150m to be staked on each of the Festival’s four days – an average of £24m per race for the 26 races. And they are also predicting a £40m climax for Friday’s Gold Cup rematch between [...]
Conditions deemed ‘perfect’ for a memorable Festival March 14, 2010 RACING conditions at Cheltenham are said to be perfect for this week’s four-day Festival, which gets underway tomorrow. Improving weather means the going is described as good to soft, good in places on both Old and New Courses and good to soft in places on the cross-country course. Officials stopped watering both courses last Thursday [...]
Italian job leaves France on the brink March 14, 2010 FRANCE (6) v/s ITALY (2) FRANCE remain on course for the Grand Slam after demolishing Italy with another impressive display. Les Bleus ran in six tries in total, meaning only England stand in the way of a first Grand Slam success since 2004 when they visit the Stade de France for the final Six Nations [...]
Johnson not yet ready, says Mancini March 14, 2010 SUNDERLAND (1) v/s MANCHESTER CITY (1) MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini says Adam Johnson is not yet ready to stake a claim for England’s World Cup squad despite his late heroics at the Stadium of Light. The 22-year-old winger fired a stunning injury-time goal to deny his hometown club and earn below-par City a precious [...]
We lack belief, claims frustrated Johnson March 14, 2010 COACH Martin Johnson says England lack the belief to win tight games after his side suffered more Six Nations frustration on Saturday. Johnson cut a forlorn figure as England were held to a disappointing 15-15 draw in their Calcutta Cup match with Scotland at Murrayfield. It came just a fortnight after his side blew a [...]
Swann backs Cook’s follow-on call March 14, 2010 SPINNER Graeme Swann backed captain Alastair Cook’s decision not to enforce the follow on as England were left frustrated in their attempts to claim a big win in the first Test with Bangladesh in Chittagong. Chasing England’s massive 599-6dec, the Tigers were bowled out for 296 with Swann claming 5-90. But instead of looking to [...]
Cherries and Saints book final date March 14, 2010 IN-FORM Northampton Saints ran in four tries to sink sorry Saracens 31-20 and book their place in Sunday’s LV= Cup final. A first half try from Phil Dowson and further scores from Brian Mujati, Paul Diggin and Neil Best handed the Saints a final date with Premiership rivals Gloucester, who earlier beat Cardiff Blues 29-18. [...]
Silver lining for Meadows as Britain end on a high March 14, 2010 JENNY MEADOWS failed in her bid to clinch a third gold medal for Great Britain at the World Indoor Championships in Doha when she was beaten down the final straight by Russian Mariya Savinova in the women’s 800m. Last year’s world outdoor bronze medallist still set a new British record of 1.58.43 and said: “I [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF March 14, 2010 Els tops European rich-list GOLF: Ernie Els became the European Tour’s all-time leading money earner after beating fellow South African Charl Schwartzel to win the WGC-CA Championship at Doral last night. Els, who was without a win for a career-high two years, fired a final round 66 to win by four shots with England’s Paul [...]
THE KNIVES ARE OUT AS THE CITY VIEWS GRAND MILITARY GOLD CUP March 14, 2010 THE Capitalist travelled in style to Sandown Park racecourse for the Grand Military Gold Cup, where the City types in attendance were busy whetting their appetite for this week’s Cheltenham festivities. As the military’s most accomplished horsemen and women battled it out around the track, it was off to a private suite for guests of [...]
